After recent weeks which saw Kerang nearly rolled in trying conditions at home against Woorinen and triumph by just four goals over a vastly improved Balranald at Greenham Park, the Blues handed out their second hundred-point belting of the season to Lake Boga.

The clash was as intrinsically one-sided as the Round 2 encounter at Boga, despite the Magpies managing five last-quarter goals to three.

The return of Karl Lohde, Lance Picioane and Jon Murphy had Kerang’s first team looking more like itself again after recent injuries to top players, while the return through the reserves of Kobi Wilson and Greg Dickson was also pleasing.

Whether Dickson remains in the Blues’ best 22 is a question that will likely be answered in coming weeks, but Wilson’s return to Troy Coates’ starting line-up will further add height and flexibility in a key position at either end of the ground.

The win puts the Blues in the box seat to claim the minor premiership, while Lake Boga’s bottom three position was basically ensured anyway.

The Magpies had no answers to the home side’s dominance around the ground, with the Blues proving too strong in all positions on the ground.

Even on the last line of defence when Boga appeared a likely chance to score, Kerang was able to prevent the Magpies from doing so, reload, and hurt the visitors going the other way.

The home side’s dominance was underscored early, with key forwards Luke Livingston and Troy Thamm getting on the board early.

Two goals to each of them, plus three others to the home side, saw the Blues jump out to a seven goal lead at the first change.

Livingston would finish the day with 10 goals in a dominant display, while Thamm managed four.

While the Blues were better around the ground, it was in attack where the Pies were least able to stem the damage from the home side, with Livingston and Thamm not able to be stopped.

Troy Coates and Luke Cotchett, who managed three goals, were again impressive in the Blues’ midfield, while sharp shooter Marc Reiffel stood up for three of his own.

The gulf in class between the two sides was emphasises in a two-minute period in the second quarter which saw consecutive attempts by Boga to rebound from the last line of defence fail.

After intercepting a kick in, Thamm was wayward in front of goal, giving Boga another opportunity to clear out of defence.

The chance was again wasted, though, with the ball once again finding its way to the hands of Thamm, who this time made the Magpies pay the ultimate price.

Goals to Marc Reiffel and Luke Cotchett remained unanswered by the visitors, with Kerang jumping to a 75-point half-time lead.

Lance Picioane didn’t return after the main break for the Blues, but it mattered little to the result of the day’s game, with only the final margin in doubt.

While Boga was able to carry the ball at stages for the first three quarters, the result was invariably a turn-over. Whether it occurred in the midfield, at half-forward or on the last line of defence, it always seemed inevitable the Blues would regain control of the ball and score quickly on the counter-attack.

Momentum shifted somewhat in the last quarter, with Nick O’Neill shooting home three majors, as Joel Dwyer and Josh Ewart both converted to make Boga’s final tally five.

The Pies can take something out of a last quarter which they won by two goals, but an honest assessment puts Lake Boga a long, long way off the competition’s top side.

Kerang travels to Alan Garden Memorial Reserve next week, while the Pies have the week off before hosting Tyntynder.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

A quick trip north and back to businessGREETINGS from the plateau following a brief sojourn to Queensland to catch up with family and friends, and the chance to spend some time relaxing sans internet on the Sunshine Coast. Bliss!

On our journey home we spent an evening with ex-Elanders Mark, Rahasya, Finnegan and Molly Sanders who now reside in Brisbane.

A loud and lively evening was enjoyed, catching up on their news and sharing tales of Elands before bidding them a reluctant goodbye and heading south.

We hope they’ll come visit so that we can reciprocate their wonderful hospitality.

Talents on the Bulga this weekend!BANISH the Winter blues and head for the hills on Saturday night for the famous annual Bulga Hall Fundraiser “Talents On The Bulga”. It’s a night jam packed with entertainment of all varieties from all ages, ranging from recitation to rock bands.

Local indi rock legends “Lounge Room Philosophers” will round out the night following an evening of fine entertainment, and dinner and dessert is included in the price of admission.

The night kicks off at 6pm with adults $15, teenagers $10, children 12 and under FREE, and family ticket just $30.

It’s always a great night with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, so roll on up and enjoy some classic Elands hospitality and fun.

Falling temperatures keep the home fires burningTHE mild Winter weather has made way for frosty mornings and bitter winds over the past week on the Bulga, and fireplaces have been burning bright both day and night to keep the cold at bay.

We’ve been looking hopefully towards the heavens for signs of rain clouds, but alas none have appeared thus far, keeping us all a little anxious about dwindling tank levels.

We’ve certainly felt the snow at Barrington blowing our way on the wind, and there have been a couple of incidences of icy sleet, stopping just short of snow here.

It’s a great time to be in the firewood business in Elands!

Mike and Sue safely homeINTREPID biking Bobin adventurers Mike and Sue Roze are back in Oz after their motorbike odyssey through south eastern Europe.

They kept us all informed with regular facebook updates and envy inducing photos of their exploits in Spain, Portugal and beyond, and by the look of things they’re making very good use of all that spare time now they’re retired.

Undoubtedly they’re already planning their next trip, never being ones to let the grass grow beneath their feet.

Welcome home guys, if only for a little while.

Young man riverTHE Mullany/ Knight household hosted some very special visitors over the school holidays with Peter’s grandson River coming to stay along with Mum Jade and Dad Phil.

Proud grandfather Peter had a ball with young River who was then on the verge of walking and this week made it official and is now tearing around like nobody’s business.

Our dapper young fellow is pictured pumping out a tune on the in-house keyboard, and now that he’s walking, Pete’s researching the right guitar for a two foot tall shredder.

Susie and Greg try famoose foodELANDERS Susie Russell and Greg Hall have arrived in Newfoundland and are settling into the daily routine of fishing for their breakfast and lunch.

They’re supping on the fresh salmon and trout they catch each day, and recently treated themselves to dinner out at a local restaurant where they dined on the regional speciality: Moose Lasagne.

Moose is commonly used in meat based dishes owing to an abundance of the animals and the reputed tastiness of the meat.

We’ve not yet heard their verdict on the meal, but hopefully it was Caribou-tiful.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

Cynthia Hicks has treasured memories of the Bill’s Gully Hall. The hall will now become a tourist attraction. Picture: SAMANTHA CAMARRIWEST Wimmera Shire Council will decommission three halls as part of a $130,000 strategic review.

Council engaged Sena Solutions to review all the shire’s halls, including council-owned halls, those owned by the Crown and some that are privately owned.

The final report was presented to council’s July meeting on Thursday.

Cr Bruce Meyer said council would decommission halls at Miga Lake, Ullswater and Dinyarrak which are no longer in use.

“These halls will be removed from council’s portfolio,” he said.

“Dinyarrak Hall has fallen down since this report.”

He said Bills Gully Hall would become a tourist attraction and the hall’s committee would continue to run it.

Council will look at updating the Edenhope Mechanics Institute Hall.

The review stated the Edenhope hall needed significant investment for its renewal and there were urgent maintenance issues.

Cr Annette Jones said council would meet the hall’s committee to investigate creating a multi-use community hub.

Cr Meyer said council would need to develop a strategy on how the project would be financed.

“We are not committing to anything at this stage, we are just finding out what the community wants and how it will be paid for,” he said.

“It could be a $2-million project, but at this stage nothing is ruled in or out.”

Mayor Ron Hawkins said the hall strategic review was a major issue for council.

“We were pleasantly surprised about the overall condition of all halls and most had a good community of people running them,” he said.

Cr Meyer said every community had the right to have a hall.

“Council had to make decisions on the ones falling into disrepair,” he said.

“Halls are best managed by people interested in them and not by council or anyone else.”

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

CHINESE CULTURE: Horsham Mayor David Grimble and chief executive Peter Brown at the Nujiang prefecture display at Horsham and Grampians Visitor Information Centre. Picture: PAUL CARRACHERHORSHAM Mayor David Grimble has encouraged people to call into the Horsham and Grampians Visitor Information Centre to see a display on Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture.

The municipality has a sister city friendship agreement with Nujiang, one of eight autonomous prefectures in the Yunnan Province in south-west China.

Cr Grimble said the display included books and flyers containing colourful images of Nujiang’s natural environment.

“The prefecture is named after the Nujiang River and the Lisu ethnic group,” he said.

“The Nujiang River is the longest undammed river in South-East Asia and the Lisu people make up almost 50 per cent of Nujiang’s population.”

Cr Grimble said Nujiang was known for its rivers, valleys, landscapes and mineral resources, along with its rich, colourful and diverse cultural heritage.

“The area has a mild climate ranging between 15 and 25 degrees all year round and the locals are very friendly,” he said.

“I visited Nujiang last October as part of a delegation to enter into the Cultural Education Exchange Program between Horsham College and Nujiang Middle School.

“The first group of Horsham College students will travel to Nujiang in September.”

Cr Grimble said the Horsham delegation learnt about Chinese culture during its trip.

“We also provided them with some Grampians tourism information written in Mandarin that they now have on display,” he said.

“I encourage people to learn more about Nujiang and perhaps even make a visit there one day.”

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.